DOH: Indigent Filipinos can get COVAX vaccines if supply permits

Indigent Filipinos who are part of the A5 priority sector can receive COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility if local government units have sufficient supply, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The World Health Organization (WHO), which leads the COVAX initiative, has approved the use of these vaccines for the poor, in addition to healthcare workers, senior citizens, and individuals with comorbidities.

However, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire emphasized that the vaccination of indigents must be strategic due to the country's ongoing supply limitations.

Vergeire stated that local governments can proceed with vaccinating the A5 sector if their allocated supplies allow, as this aligns with existing guidelines and WHO pronouncements.